A Haven for Vee

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Of Shops and Things

Who doesn't love a quaint shop or a sweet little breakfast nook? All the better if adorned with hanging flower pots that match the OPEN sign like the ones hanging here at Rosie's where we ate a leisurely breakfast the first morning. Hot coffee, plenty of cream, perfectly cooked eggs, crispy bacon, crispy hash browns with soft centers, and buttered toast with strawberry jam...hmmmm. Thick fog that morning finally gave over to the most perfect of sunny days. A real corker!


I've tucked posies into my mosaic from other places and out of order with actual daily events. You'll notice a recurring motif. Fortunately, there are only four of us who know the linear progression of activity. Make that three. John doesn't remember yesterday.

This white birch arbor (below) was so fantastic that I had to take a picture. Oh, John! Do you know where to find some white birch?


Taking a drive with my aunt and uncle is fun and funny. This area is my uncle's ancestral home and he has nestled into the bosom of his family with so many in the community around him being relatives. "That's my cousin's house over there," and a short time later and a bit further down the road, "That's my cousin's house." It reminded me of a line from Jan Karon's In the Company of Others: ...no use to look for our ancestors in the cemeteries and church registers—we meet them in the DNA of the folks across the table, in the street, in the pew.

We drove around so much and in so many circles that I really have no clue where we were. We did eventually arrive at the proverbial fork in the road.


*** 

Toward evening, we drove to Cornish where we were treated to a delicious seafood dinner. Most opted for scallops; I had haddock au gratin. Very tasty!


That evening, this doe crossed the road in front of us and, reaching the railroad track, stopped long enough to have her picture taken.The cute fellow in the center is an alpaca we saw on that drive. All the others were taken at my aunt and uncle's home: a hummer on my aunt's clothesline long enough for me to take a picture, the ducks live on a pond behind their house, and there's sleepy Molly (the poodle) in her napping spot.
***

I've already shown you some lovely homes from that first evening's drive; though I have saved two, which just so happen to be my aunt's favorites. My aunt is affected by all things old and rundown and, like so many of you, worries about abandoned homes and barns and what will become of them. Such is the story of this home nestled at the bottom of a hill.


Even though the moving of such a homestead would be a great expense, Aunt Ess is considering putting it in the trunk piece by piece and carrying it home. Think she could?


Some of you have selected your favorite homes from the ones I've already posted. This is my aunt's favorite below.


It is a typical New England cape with an attached barn usually accessed via an attached shed. It is very similar to the home my first husband and I purchased when we were not yet 25 years old. If one stands in the front room and all the doors are open, one can look straight down to the back wall of the barn.

Now, if you'd like to join me tomorrow, I'm going to tell you about arriving uninvited at one of my uncle's cousin's homes. It's an interesting story. Hope to see you then!


29 comments:

  1. Vee,
    Very familiar sights! Have been to the fish restaurant. Enjoying your trip with you. Off to North Conway for a little shopping.
    Carol

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  2. I enjoyed this post and it gave me my morning chuckle (the fork in the road and the wee old house). How fun to visit relatives who know or are related to everyone in the area. The last photo of the capecod is very typical and I've always loved seeing them throughout Maine (when we get off the I 95). I'll be watching for your next post. Have a great day.

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  3. Ohhhhh that beautiful old *house at the bottom of a hill*... -sigh-

    ~♥~

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  4. When my husband and I travel we prefer to eat at little cafes like you posted instead of chains or corporate owned restuarants. I love the birch arbor... wouldn't it be a beautiful place for a wedding! Have a great day!

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  5. I would love to have breakfast at that place!!

    Loved the fork in the road..clever idea someone had.
    Hugs,
    Penny

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  6. I have enjoyed taking your recent road trip with you and sharing some memories and photos.

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  7. Hey...she can tote along the old run down house if you can be bringing dozens and dozens of bloggers along...how we all are fitting in the car I have no idea and no complaints. Just glad I apparently got a virtual front row window seat.

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  8. Someone had a sense of humor with that hilarious fork in the road! I do like seeing these houses. The yellow Cape makes me think of Tasha Tudor's home. I live in a Cape Cod house here in northeast Ohio. Of course, we are the Western Reserve and there is still a bit of Connecticut and New England around and about.

    I think you had a wonderful trip! (But I do wonder how long that birch arbor would last.)

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  9. I'm enjoying your road trip through your lens. The fork in the road is funny! And that arbor...beautiful! I want one.

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  10. Loved traveling along on this trip with you. That fork in the road is hilarious. Love the birch arbor!!

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  11. Old buildings...quaint shops and eateries...and forks in the road...I'm enjoying taking a roadtrip with you!

    Love your aunt's favorite.☺

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  12. I very much enjoyed your travel-log and beautiful (and humorous) photos! Thank you for sharing this part of your journey with us! :o)

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  13. Isn't it fun to travel and see so many interesting things? The white birch arbor is gorgeous - I'd love to have one.

    I had a chuckle over the fork in the road, and the old house. Perspective, my dear ... I think that New England has more humor than has been credited!

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  14. What a beautiful trip! Your pictures are amazing. People could go an entire lifetime and not see the wonderful things that just made up your mosaic... Maybe that's a slight exaggeration, but only slight. In fact I know I'm not exaggerating when I say not many people will ever experience a fork in the road the way that you have, or a homestead that really could ride home in the trunk of your car. ;)

    Thanks Vee for taking the time to encourage me yesterday. I was so blessed by wise words and prayers. Today is a bit better.

    Blessings, Debbie

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  15. I'm eager to hear about your unanounced visit! The countryside must be full of such quaint houses as you have pictured. I'd take almost any of them! (Well, maybe not the one your aunt wanted to take home piece-by-piece!) What beauty and rich history! I love that your uncle is related to John Quincy Adams! One of my favorites and those are great quotes of his you posted!

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  16. Vee, I use the expression "That was a real corker" all the time! lol I always thought it was a NY expression.

    I loved this post as it took me back to an idyllic time. My grandmother lived in Pennsylvania and the scenes you showed looked very much like her area...minus the actual fork in the road of course :)

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  17. I've just had a mini vacation as I scrolled through your beautiful pictures! What a great place to be right now... it is so NOT in Texas! Everything you pictured looks like someplace I would love to be! :)

    xo

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  18. What a beautiful tranquil place! It makes me want to jump in the car and head for the country. Have a safe and fun trip!
    Hugs,
    Cathie

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  19. I'm loving the beautiful scenery and tales of this adventure!!!
    Beautiful pictures...

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  20. I'm so enjoying my travels with you, such lovely places!

    I can't wait for tomorrows story!

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  21. I feel I've taken this drive with you..your descriptions are that good! I love the quote:"Jan Karon's In the Company of Others: ...no use to look for our ancestors in the cemeteries and church registers—we meet them in the DNA of the folks across the table, in the street, in the pew." especially since my work is genetic genealogy (DNA paired with traditional genealogy!)

    Can't wait to see/hear more..and thank you again for putting us gently into your pocket so we can come along :-)

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  22. I love everything in this post, Vee!

    I would love to have breakfast with you at Rosie's - it sounded perfect! O adore that white birch pergola, and the houses! Love that cape with the barn attached...oh and to save that old one! sigh...

    Thank you for sharing.

    Deanna

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  23. This was just delightful...I feel I just took a mini-vacation. It is over 100 degrees here and has been for weeks, so this is just so refreshing. I love the fork in the road...now I am calling Benjamin to come see the animals with me...fun post!!!

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  24. Loved all your pictures.....esp the fork! I'll be back to read about your uncle's cousin...sounds like an interesting story. You never know what will happen when you show up uninvited.

    Thanks so much for the sweet comments on my blog. I sure do appreciate your visit!

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  25. Rosie's looks like a charming place to visit and your breakfast has my mouth watering.
    Love the white birch gazebo. You don't see many birch trees in these parts, but I think that they are so pretty.
    The fork in the road is hilarious. Your post has reminded me of the reasons I enjoy road trips opposed to airplane trips. We miss all the good stuff when we're up in the air.

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  26. I enjoyed that tour. The animals and homes. Of course the fork in the road drew a smile. So funny.

    I,too, love old buildings and barns. We have a lot of great stonework foundations that remains after the wood has gone. I always love to stare at it and imagine what it had been and the people who used to work and play there.

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  27. Wow! So many really neat and cool photos. Love the birch arbor!

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  28. There is too much to say that I loved in this post!
    But my favorite was the birch arbor!
    I've got lots of trees, just not enough time!!

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